Crop Protection Programme

The entomology research theme deals with a wide variety of crop protection research questions, but the overarching aim is to ensure the sustainable control of insect pests and mites. Invasive insects and phytosanitary concerns have influenced the research programme significantly over the last few years. Invasive polyphagous shot hole borer and spotted wing drosophila research are seen as a priority, as well as other emerging pests such as sucking insects including Antestiopsis, Cenaeus and Oxycarenus. Current research includes work on sucking insects, biological control (for mealybugs, grain chinch bug and polyphagous shot hole borer), pollination efficiency and the integration of spatial data in pest management. Moreover, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) research is showing promise especially for the control of Cenaeus carnifex (red bug) and polyphagous shot hole borer.

Research in the field of nematology concentrates on both entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and plant parasitic nematodes. For EPNs, several pest specific projects have been completed in the last few years and currently the focus is largely on mass-rearing. The use of cover crops and other soil amendments is the main focus for plant parasitic nematode control. In the light of the loss of several nematicides, establishing cultural tools for their control is a critical avenue of research.

The preharvest plant pathology research addresses several important industry challenges and aims to identify sustainable management alternatives of pathogens – including fungi, bacteria, viroids and viruses. Applied research in this theme includes the economic management of canker pathogens and their management, integrated management of crown gall and of apple scab, as well as surveys of deciduous fruit viruses. Moreover, more environmentally friendly control tactics are also being explored such as soil amendments for soil-borne diseases and biocontrol options for other important pathogens.

The postharvest sanitation and decay management research theme focuses largely on decay pathogens, finding sustainable alternatives for current control products, and investigating sanitation methods in packhouses. The research currently includes the following focus areas: exploring alternative and novel control products and technologies for equipment and packhouse infrastructure sanitation; evaluating alternative and novel control products and technologies for management of post-harvest decay; and developing strategies and best practices for pre- and postharvest inoculum management of important pathogens.

Research on regenerative agricultural practices, including soil health and orchard floor ecology, remains an important emerging theme in agriculture. Current research is focused on cover crops and mulches and their effects on soils, soil biota, and understanding how orchard ecology influences bee visitation and fruit production. In addition, an extensive and systematic literature review has been completed to identify future research priorities for especially cover crop research. It was found that cover crops offered several advantages, but the impact on yield and vegetative growth requires further investigation. Moreover, the following gaps were identified: information on host status of various cover crops to insect pest and/or beneficials are lacking, indigenous grasses should be explored as potential cover crops, and water use of different cover crop species should be explored.

The focus of the precision agriculture theme is to minimise the impact of crop protection activities on the environment and human health by adjusting operational and other practices on-farm and in the packhouse. Aspects such as the development of more efficient spray application and evaluation methods, monitoring and managing pesticide/fungicide resistance, and the importance of integrating monitoring data for decision making are central to pest and disease control. Current research focuses on the integration of industry-wide data into a centralised database and prioritising technology transfer efforts of information already available.

The focus of this research theme is to identify new or emerging threats to the deciduous fruit industry and to ensure market access for phytosanitary pests and diseases. Current research projects at Hortgro’s PHYLA facility address several key issues, including phytosanitation using novel fumigants and the investigation of various storage regimes for numerous pests. Moreover, to address several biosecurity issues that have recently arisen, a collaboration is ongoing between Hortgro and the Centre of Excellence for Pest Monitoring at FruitFly Africa. Surveillance of threats, including monitoring of polyphagous shot hole borer and spotted wing drosophila, is continuing in major production areas.